Live broadcast of Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet watched by 225,000 people

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The National Theatre Live cinema broadcast of Hamlet at the Barbican in London, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, was watched by almost a quarter of a million people.

In a tweet yesterday, National Theatre Live revealed that 225,000 people in more than 25 countries watched the 39-year-old actor, known for his roles in The Imitation Game, The Hobbit and the BBC’s Sherlock series, play the troubled prince during the broadcast on October 15.

A huge thank you to everyone who saw #HamletBarbican last week - you were part of a record-breaking audience of 225,000 in 25 countries!

The figure sets a record for the largest-ever audience for a live theatre broadcast

Cumberbatch's performance in the play, which runs until October 31 and is directed by Lyndsey Turner, has been widely acclaimed.

In his four star review, Telegraph theatre critic Dominic Cavendish wrote that the actor "may lack the moodiness of Daniel Day-Lewis, the quirkiness of David Tennant or the raw edge of Jude Law but in his own way he stands equal to the best modern Hamlets, makes the part his – and yes, justifies the hysteria".

An “encore” screening of the broadcast will be shown in selected cinemas across the UK this Thursday.